RUGER Red Label All Weather 04138 12 GA O/U Double Barrel Shotgun MFD 1999
SOLD FOR: $3484
LSB#: 220518ED002
Make: Sturm, Ruger & Co.
Model: Red Label #04138 (All Weather)
Serial Number: 411-36188
Year of Manufacture: 1999
Caliber: 12, chambered for 3” Shells
Action Type: Top Lever, Break Action Over/Under Shotgun with Ejectors
Markings: The top receiver tang is marked with the serial number, “411-36188”. The underside of the receiver is marked “STURM, RUGER & CO., INC. / SOUTHPORT, CONN. U.S.A. / —U.S.A—”. The left side barrel flat is marked with “12 GA. 3” CHAMBERS” and a proof mark. . The mono block is serial matching, hand-scribed “6188”. The underside of the forend wood and the grip cap are marked with an inset Ruger trademark medallion. The buttpad is marked with a Ruger trademark logo.
Barrel Length: 26” with Vented Barrel Rib
Choke: Improved Cylinder over Cylinder; both screw-in.
Sights/Optics: There is a bead fixed to the front of the barrel rib. The top of the rib is serrated, and the top of the mono block is matte to reduce glare.
Weight: 7lb, 8.8oz
Stock Configuration and Condition: The stocks are two-piece black checkered plastic with capped semi pistol-grip and forend, fluted straight comb, and a serrated black rubber buttpad. Beyond a few handling marks, the stocks are free of any notable wear or damage. The checkering is sharp. There are no chips or cracks. The drop at comb is 1 1/4”, the drop at heel is 2 1/2”. The cast is slightly off. The LOP measures 14 1/4” from the front of the trigger to the back of the buttpad. The buttpad has a bit of staining wear. Overall, the stocks are in Fine-plus condition.
Type of Finish: Stainless
Finish Originality: Original
Bore Condition: Both bores are bright and neither have erosion.
Overall Condition: This shotgun retains about 98% of its metal finish. There are intermittent nicks dotted along the right side of the barrel assembly and a few more notable scuffs on the right side of the mono block. All markings are clear. Overall, this shotgun is in Fine-to-Excellent condition.
Mechanics: The action functions correctly. The lock up is tight with no play. We have not fired this shotgun. As with all used firearms, a thorough cleaning may be necessary to meet your standards.
Box, Paperwork, and Accessories: None..
Our Assessment: Over/Under shotguns were a distinct improvement of traditional side by side double guns, especially in terms of overall accuracy. At the time Ruger was bringing their Red Label to market, over/under double guns were effectively luxury items, out of reach of the average American consumer. Bill Ruger proceeded to do what Bill Ruger always did: saw the need of the market and filled it, investing serious time and money and doing it all in-house. Ruger filled the need not just with a comparable product, but one that defied expectations and created real value for the buyer. At the time of their release Red Label shotguns cost $480.00 and put in the hands of Joe Average a rather fine over/under double gun. A tag often attached to the guard of these guns states that Red Label shotguns are “[M]anufactured by skilled American workmen in the world’s best-equipped firearms factory, a facility that exemplifies American precision manufacture at its best,” This hardly a boast, as in-hand the Red Label a sight to behold, possessed of understated beauty, with simple lines, and as much evidence of its engineering absent as possible—note that there are no visible screws. Interestingly, what gave rise to the Red Label shotgun is ultimately what would lead to its fall: stiff competition. Only this time the competition came from a bevy of manufacturers in multiple countries, and it’s common wisdom that a war cannot be won on two fronts, let alone many. After a brief return in 2013 that saw Ruger attempt to simplify the design and manufacturing process, the Red Label was quietly removed from the company’s roster. The example on offer here was made in 1999 and is quite notable for being an “All-Weather” variant—stainless metal and a sleek black composite stock. It is also somewhat light, making for a great wetland hunting gun. It is in overall Fine-to-Excellent condition with only very minor wear. Good luck and happy bidding!
